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Daniel Siad Found Dead
French prosecutors confirmed that Daniel Siad, a 69-year-old model scout investigated over alleged Epstein trafficking ties, was found dead in his home outside Paris on Monday night.
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CNN said Siad’s body was found in his house in Colombes, a suburb of the French capital, and that an autopsy would be performed to determine the cause of death.
Le Monde reported that prosecutors said Siad was under investigation as one of several French men accused of aiding Epstein in trafficking and abusing women, and that an investigation to determine the cause of death was opened on Monday evening following the discovery.
ABC News said an official cause of death had not been determined and that Siad’s attorney, Menya Arab-Tigrine, told ABC News she believed he had suffered a heart attack while waiting for an official report.
Investigations, Denials, and Quotes
CNN reported that Paris public prosecutor’s office said broad Epstein-related investigations launched in February, relating to allegations of human trafficking and criminal conspiracy, would continue, while also stating that investigators still had not obtained enough evidence to arrest Siad.
In a statement to ABC News, Menya Arab-Tigrine said, "Mr. Siad needed to cry out his truth and his innocence," and she added that if it was a heart attack, stress, anxiety, and waiting could have played a role.
BBC quoted the Paris prosecutor’s office saying the investigation opened on 18 February 2026 was continuing to identify all individuals potentially involved despite the termination of criminal proceedings against Daniel Siad.
BBC also reported that the dead man’s lawyer stressed that Siad had "never been prosecuted," and that lawyers for alleged victims said they were "stunned" by his death because alleged victims were "denied a criminal trial."
What Happens Next
The BBC said the investigation opened on Monday evening would include a post-mortem examination, while also reporting that the Paris prosecutor’s office defended its February investigation as having insufficient evidence to justify arresting Siad.
CNN reported that so far 24 women had come forward or been identified following a review of information and a call for victims by prosecutors, and that at least 16 women had been interviewed by investigators with additional interviews due to take place.
Le Monde said the Paris prosecutor's office was dropping a probe targeting Siad after his death but pursuing a wider probe into alleged human trafficking linked to Epstein, who had a flat in the French capital.
ABC News added that Siad’s name appeared more than 2,000 times in records released by the U.S. Justice Department in response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and that French authorities announced a renewed investigation into any potential crimes committed in France by anyone who had abetted Epstein.
